Astra Moving Together with the Nation's Youth: Building Prosperity from the Villages, for Today and the Future of Indonesia

JAKARTA: From the vast eastern coastlines to the green hills on the western edge of the archipelago, the steps taken by the nation's youth for their villages are growing into a great wave of change. Their movement originates from their birthplace, the source of their life stories, and has transformed into initiatives that uplift the dignity of Indonesia's villages. This sincere struggle of the nation's youth meets Astra's commitment to sustainable social responsibility, forming a nexus of strength that moves together to realize sustainable village prosperity.

Through four pillars of social contribution—Health, Education, Entrepreneurship, and Environment—which align with Indonesia's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Astra strengthens the efforts of the nation's youth in improving the quality of life, broadening access to education, opening economic opportunities for village communities, and preserving the surrounding natural environment.

"Indonesia has young people who work in silence, without the spotlight, yet change the lives of many. They are proof that Indonesia's fighting spirit is born from the villages, from a care that never fades. Astra is proud to be part of their journey in reinforcing the development of sustainable social contribution in rural areas to expand their initiatives and deliver positive impacts to the surrounding communities. Astra hopes this spirit will motivate more of the nation's youth to join the movement to build today and the future of Indonesia," said Astra President Director Djony Bunarto Tjondro.

Astra initiated the Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia Awards in 2010 as an appreciation for young people who bring positive contributions to their environment and community. The program has discovered 792 inspirational young individuals and synergized with over 1,500 Kampung Berseri Astra and Desa Sejahtera Astra across 35 provinces.

The synergy of these three flagship programs has fostered collaborations driven by the local champions who bring change to the nation. As of 2024, Astra's social contributions have reached 2.63 million beneficiaries across various regions.

​In the 2020–2024 period, the export value of Desa Sejahtera Astra reached Rp349 billion, marking an increase in the competitiveness of village products in the global market. This achievement is undeniably due to the dedication of the local champions, who are the main engine of empowerment in their respective areas.

Local Champions From Across the Country 

Behind every change, there are individuals who choose not to stand idly by. They return to their roots, nurture their homeland, and ignite hope for many people around them.

1. Petronela Merauje, Guardian of the Women's Forest, Enggros, Papua

Known as Mama Nela, she protects the ancestral heritage, the Women's Forest, with gentle yet firm courage. She leads women in clearing waste, planting mangroves, and restoring the customary forest, which also serves as a source of food and income.

2. Bernard “Oday” Langoday, Coffee Ecosystem Champion, Cikajang, Garut 

A coffee sociopreneur who built a coffee ecosystem from upstream to downstream. He has empowered over 4,000 residents, increased farmer productivity, expanded the market, and turned village coffee into a new source of pride.

3. Priska Yeniriatno, Creator of Second Chances for Women and Youth, Singkawang

She left her career to establish a batik house, starting out with only her savings and courage. She now manages three batik tourism villages, empowering housewives and young people who have dropped out of school.

4. Zainal Abidin, Guardian of the Rammang-Rammang Karst Landscape, South Sulawesi

He was moved to return to his village after becoming the first person from his community to earn a doctoral degree. Seeing an opportunity in his hometown, he invited residents to upload the beauty of the karst landscape on social media. Now, Rammang-Rammang is a world-renowned destination. Alongside his village’s growth, he helps preserve the environment by producing eco-friendly organic fertilizer from bat guano and regularly monitors community health by touring with a doctor in a jolloro (local boat) to ensure the well-being of the surrounding population.

5. Ritno Kurniawan, Pioneer of Nyarai Tourism, West Sumatra

He transformed a protected forest, which was previously subjected to logging, into a globally known nature tourism magnet that has attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists. Starting with only five guides, the team has now grown to 150, including internationally certified guides.

6. Dian Banunu, The Teacher Who Pushes Boundaries, Takari, Kupang

Every morning, she hitches a two-hour truck ride to reach the school and educate the children of Oesusu, Kupang. She has successfully produced graduates who are now able to live independently as professional workers and entrepreneurs.

The complete stories of these local champions are available in documentary form on YouTube SATU Indonesia, serving as a window of hope and an invitation for more of the nation's youth and all of us to contribute positively to our surrounding communities.

Astra’s commitment to continuously move together with the nation’s local champions across the country aligns with Astra’s mission to Prosper with the Nation and supports the achievement of Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For further information, please contact:

Windy Riswantyo
Head of Corporate Communications
PT Astra International Tbk
Telp. 021-508-43-888

 

About Astra

Astra is one of Indonesia’s largest public companies, comprising 301 subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associate companies, supported by more than 190,000 employees. The company’s diversified business model creates synergies and opportunities across industry sectors including automotive & mobility, financial services, heavy equipment, mining construction & energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, information technology, and property. The company has a new sustainability framework which includes Astra’s 2030 Sustainability Aspirations. It will guide Astra in the transition journey to be a more sustainable business by 2030 and beyond. Astra wishes to contribute to the strength and resilience of the Indonesian economy while supporting an inclusive and prosperous society.

Astra has a strong record of public and social contributions through four pillars, which consist of health, education, environment, and entrepreneurship as well as nine foundations to contribute to the growth of the Indonesian economy while encouraging a more inclusive and prosperous society. Established in 2010, Astra’s Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia Awards program, has recognised the contribution of 726 young Indonesians at the national and provincial level across the nation. The SATU Indonesia Awards program is integrated with Astra’s wide range of community activities through more than 1,500 Desa Sejahtera Astra and Kampung Berseri Astra in 35 provinces throughout Indonesia.

For more about Astra, visit astra.co.id, and follow us on Instagram @satu_indonesia, TikTok @satu_indonesia, YouTube SATU Indonesia, X (Twitter) @satu_indonesia, LinkedIn PT Astra International Tbk, and Facebook Semangat Astra Terpadu.